Kameoka

From January 17th to February 27th 2020, I experienced the rich landscape of Kameoka. I fell in love with the mountains and fog, the rivers and pine trees, the rice and vegetable fields, the sound of the Sagano train line, the pickled daikon and turnips, soba noodles, tempura and onigiri, temples and shrines, shoji sliding doors, Japanese green tea, slippers and tatami, the peace and quiet and the wonderful community of Kameoka.

Omoya

I arrived at Omoya house, Kameoka, with very little art materials. Just my camera, laptop and a small amount of printing tools. Omoya kitchen became my studio for research as did the landscape of Kameoka. I used film, photography and field recordings to document my experience resulting in this 12 minute film, ‘Kameoka Reflections’. The film is a moving collage of landscape and objects layered with field recordings from outdoor journeys around Kameoka by train, bike and foot and an indoor journey of Omoya kitchen. Listening, observing and recording sound, shape and colour in an unfamiliar place was a fascinating experience. Whether natural, digital or mechanical, by paying attention, the senses were open to the newness of sound and place.

Navigating New Landscapes

With the senses heightened, each day was rich and alive. I immersed myself in a completely different culture meeting the local community, navigating new landscapes and language, deciphering symbols and signs, adjusting to different rules and customs, navigating new pathways, unravelling complex systems and learning how to integrate myself and make a home in an unfamiliar landscape. What I would usually take for granted as a simple task in my own home became enormously complex and confusing and required patience and acceptance of my own limitations.

no-mu Retreat

Over time and with perseverance I would begin to unravel mysteries and find solutions and make connections. After a while as things became more familiar and I adjusted to the sounds, the shapes and the colours in this new place, the wonderment would dissolve into acceptance. Recording these moments became a kind of remembrance of the ordinary and yet quite extraordinary every day experiences. To capture the essence of this wonderment I played with the recordings, altering the speed, layering the landscapes, enhancing the colours, holding the experience of wonder alive for a little bit longer. Thank you so much to the community of Kameoka and no-mu AIR (artists in residence) who gave me a rich and colourful insight and experience of Kameoka.

no-mu Artist Retreat

22 Views of Kameoka - A Rubberstamp Print

Thank you Eikoh Tanaka and Kana Okanoya for being amazing hosts.

Harvest Journey

Thank you Eikoh for featuring my song ‘Falling Through the Sunlight’ from my Autumn EP for Harvest Journey. Your film captures so delightfully the beauty and wonder of Kameoka! xxx